The Gridley Museum, for a limited time, will feature this table honoring veterans. Photo by Mickey Mrakuzic

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - An empty table sits inside the windows of the Gridley Museum, looking out toward Kentucky Street longingly.

The empty table isn’t just a lonely chair, but a metaphor and a symbol of some of the struggles survived by veterans.

On the small round table, a definition has been placed by museum volunteers, outlining what each item represents. For example, the single place setting symbolizes the loneliness of the prisoner of war, the red rose in a vase representing the blood that may have been shed in sacrifice, and the tiny grains of salt sprinkled on the plate, symbolic of the countless tears of families as they wait for the return of their loved ones.

In addition to the moving display, the volunteers at the museum have posted bios and images of local veterans in the windows. Guests can learn about the local veterans that served in various skirmishes either by a visit inside or a stroll along downtown Gridley’s historic streets.

Some of the past locals mentioned include Private Henry Clay Veatch who served in the Civil War, Shiego J. Tanimoto, Tech, 4th Grade, that served in the U.S. Army during World War II and even information from a letter written by Dick Cassady Jr. sent to his family from Korea, where he was stationed.

The Gridley Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and is located at 601 Kentucky St., Gridley. This display will be available for a limited time only.